malnosso | [Locked to Luceti residents]

[The following message is typed, but an automated computerized voice option is available as well. It will appear on the journal system at around 6AM.]

Approximately three hours ago, the experimental enclosure known as Kin’cora, located in Region Six, was attacked by a cultist army led by the entity known as The General. His forces breached the barrier and began their invasion. Malnosso Security Forces responded in turn and decimated his forces. Just under half of the enclosure's population was killed or taken for sacrifice before the situation was resolved.

By order of the Commandant, the enclosure designated as Luceti has been approved as a temporary refuge for displaced subjects of the Kin’cora experiment. In approximately six hours, subjects will begin to arrive. They will remain there until such a time as they can be moved to more permanent accommodations. Note, the Kin’cora journal system will be deactivated while within the Luceti enclosure.

Cultist activity continues to be high in Region Six. Expect additional supplies to be limited until situation is resolved. Emergency rations will be routed to the enclosure as they become available. Subjects are urged to use current provisions wisely and to cooperate with displaced refugees. For safety purposes the Shift limiting superhuman abilities will be reduced to ten percent. No further details will be made available at this time.

End message.

[ooc: there will be no further answers from the malnosso on this post, so this may be used as a general discussion post.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Too much attention.

[That's what it boils down to, anyway.]

[Ah yes, something he could relate to.]

Too much scrutiny.[He agrees wryly.] Very well. Your advice is helpful, and any other aid you can offer will be welcome.

[Something tells him he'll like Albert more than he thought he would, from the little he's gathered about him. Especially if he understands disliking being too public. Which. Everything Gregor does back home is public, or feels so.]

I heard you've never lost a battle.

[The comment is met with a faintly-raised brow. This was a first for him. Was someone spreading rumors about him?

Best to quash such things before they grew.]

An exaggeration. Especially if one considers how things have gone here in this world. [There was no way that draft in the cultists' jungle could be considered a victory.]

May I ask where you heard that?

Voices in the woods during the last experiment. Not all of it was idle gossip.

So I have heard. Some of them seemed more believable than others, certainly.

I am not so impenetrable, though. Just the longest lasting of those in Luceti.

The best strategists are still men. Frankly, I assumed that if you hadn't lost a battle yet, you must be very young.

Indeed. I would be hard-pressed to find a strategist of significant experience who has a perfect record.

This would not be the best time to muse on such things, though. [Only six hours to properly organize, after all.] You will still lend your aid?

Absolutely.

My thanks. May I have your name? [Despite the clipped and professional way that he responds, there is no impatience there.]

Greg Bleakman. [Unfortunately, he doesn't yet know filters break when addressed to that name.]

Greg Bleakman. [A modern soldier? He tries to place where the man could have come from with his knowledge and training, but does not invest much thought to it.] Very well. I'm sure I will see you around.

I would be happy if that were the case...Captain?

[He seems about captain-age, anyway.]

Edited 2012-08-29 19:11 (UTC)

[That was a title he had not heard in quite awhile. He resists the urge to snort aloud in amusement; now is not the time for something like that.]

I would prefer to go by my name; rank means little here.

I've heard people say that. I've always wondered what makes years of training and experience mean nothing simply because you've switched locations.

Some would rather be judged by their actions than by a title that may mean nothing to others. The same goes for those with royal titles.

I would say the title is a pretty good indicator of the actions someone took to achieve it. Inherited titles are one thing, but military titles at least require effort. Or nepotism.

[He's faintly amused by the mention of nepotism.] Who is to say that those who give their titles are the former and not the latter?

I'd rather give someone the benefit of the doubt than assume the latter and insult a man who has taken more real risk than I ever will.

Some are not so willing to believe those who they have not seen vetted. You can imagine the discord that creates when the need for organization arises. [As if this was not chaotic enough.]

It doesn't mean titles mean nothing here. You took an oath, so to speak. You're still a soldier.

Indeed. [Soldiers take certain oaths. Of course.] Should that mean that they should carry on their worlds' battles and prejudices here, as part of that oath?

[Sea captains and pirates come to mind.]

...But I digress. We both have other things we should be doing.

I don't know what your oath entails. And yes, by all means, don't let me keep you.

Edited 2012-09-05 06:35 (UTC)

Therein lies other issues. [What oaths did those with rank carry? Would they be hindrances in the long run? Or would they break those oaths readily?]

Thank you for the ... diversion, Mr. Bleakman. I will see you around.

[Barrayaran government, military, and everything else is based on oaths. It's generally why oaths are sworn to people, or in Gregor's case, to Barrayar's best interests. In a feudal system, it works--the power of the liege lords is protected, and so are the rights of their vassals--unless someone decides to break an oath. That's why he takes it so seriously, and why he understands he is still emperor even here. Emperor of Barrayar, that is, not of Luceti. He gets the feeling others would mistake him even if he clarified that. Few cultures are oath-based, and those relying on that tricksy pen-and-paper combination tend to almost willfully misunderstand Barrayaran values. Still, as long as he is here, with one of his subjects, he is oathsworn to uphold that subject's rights. It's his power that is limited here, not his duty.]

I'm sure you will.

Edited 2012-09-05 06:59 (UTC)

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